What Does -1 Spread Mean in NFL Betting?

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Green Bay Packers' Josh Jacobs tries to get past Tennessee Titans' T'Vondre Sweat during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

(AP Photo/George Walker IV)

BetMGM @BETMGM Sep 24, 2024, 8:58 PM

If a team is -1 in NFL betting at BetMGM, they’re favored by one point. Their opponent, the underdog, would be +1.

To cover the spread (-1), the favorite must win by at least two points. If they win by exactly one point, it would be a push.

To cover the spread (+1), the underdog must win the game or tie (after overtime). If they lose by exactly one point, it’s a push.

Overtime is included in the final score that determines if the team covers the spread.

Example of -1 Spread in NFL Betting

Detroit Lions (-1, -110) at Seattle Seahawks (+1, -110)

The Lions are the road favorite (-1), and the Seahawks are the home underdog (+1).

If Detroit wins by at least two points, they cover the spread. If they win by one point, they push. And if they tie or lose, they don’t cover.

If Seattle wins or ties, they cover the spread. If they lose by one point, they push. If they lose by at least two points, they don’t cover.

Here are some score examples:

Lions 31, Seahawks 27: The Lions win by four points and cover the spread

Lions 17, Seahawks 16: The Lions win by one point and push.

Lions 17, Seahawks 17 (OT): The Lions tie and don’t cover.

Seahawks 21, Lions 16: The Seahawks win by four points and cover.

Seahawks 23, Lions 23 (OT): The Seahawks tie and cover.

Lions 31, Seahawks 30: The Seahawks lose by one point and push.

Lions 17, Seahawks 7: The Seahawks lose by 10 points and don’t cover.

Payout for -1 Spread in NFL Betting

Detroit Lions (-1, -110) at Seattle Seahawks (+1, -110)

The odds accompanying the spread determine the payout. In this Lions-Seahawks example, the odds for each spread (-1 and +1) are -110. The odds can vary for games; they could be +100, -105, -110, -115 or another value.

To calculate the potential payout, add a spread bet to your BetMGM Bet Slip.

With -110 odds, a winning bet with a $25 stake would return $38.18 (including stake).

At -105 odds, a winning bet with a $25 stake would return $39.05 (including stake).

If a spread bet pushes, the stake is refunded.

Parlays and sportsbook Odds Boosts are among the ways to change odds and lock in a bigger potential payout.

To build a parlay, add multiple bets to your Bet Slip and add a stake to the Parlays section.

To get an Odds Boost, check updated sportsbook promos or log in to your BetMGM account. If you don’t have an account, check your eligibility for a welcome offer or BetMGM Refer A Friend bonus.